John Stark was born in Londonderry, New Hampshire, but at eight years old he moved with his family to Manchester, where he spent the rest of his life. In 1752, the young man was captured by Abenaki Indians, who brought him and another prisoner back to their camp. Once there, he so impressed the chief with his skill and bravery that he was made a member of the tribe. By the next year, however, the men’s ransoms had been paid, and they were returned to their home state. Stark married Elizabeth "Molly" Page in 1758, and the two later had eleven children.
As George Washington prepared to take his troops southward, he offered Stark a command in the Continental Army, which the latter accepted. He and his New Hampshire Line suffered a defeat in Canada before meeting up with Washington in the battles of Princeton and Trenton. Stark was sent home to recruit more troops, but while he was away, he learned that he had been replaced as commander by Colonel Enoch Poor, a cowardly leader with no combat experience. Disgusted, Stark resigned from the Army. Four months later, he was offered the position of Brigadier General of the New Hampshire Militia, and he accepted on the condition that he would not be answerable to the Continental Army. Shortly thereafter, he was ordered to Saratoga, New York, to reinforce the Army. John refused, instead leading his men against the Hessians at the Battle of Bennington. He won a victory for America and contributed greatly to the later British defeat at Saratoga, widely considered the turning point of the war.
John Stark served until the conclusion of the Revolutionary War, after which he retired to his home in Manchester. In 1809, a celebration was organized to commemorate the Bennington battle. Stark, 81 years old, was too weak to travel, but he sent along a note urging his men to “Live free or die: Death is not the worst of evils.” The elderly general passed away in 1822, and the phrase Live Free or Die later became the New Hampshire state motto.
Born. | |
Captured and held prisoner for a time by Abenaki Indians. | |
French and Indian War. | |
Married Elizabeth page. | |
Became a colonel and was given command of the 1st and 3rd New Hampshire Regiments. | |
Battle of Bunker Hill. | |
Became commander of a division of the Continental Army. | |
Resigned from the Continental Army; later became Brigadier General of the New Hampshire Militia. | |
Battle of Bennington. | |
Retired after the conclusion of the Revolutionary War. | |
Penned the famous phrase 'Live free or die: Death is not the worst of evils.' | |
Died. | |
Live Free or Die became the New Hampshire state motto. |
Roger's Rangers in | Indian History for Young Folks by Francis S. Drake |
John Stark and the Indians in | Stories of Great Americans for Little Americans by Edward Eggleston |
First Thrust—The Battle of Bunker Hill in | This Country of Ours by H. E. Marshall |
Burgoyne's Campaign—Bennington and Oriskany in | This Country of Ours by H. E. Marshall |
Image Links | ||
---|---|---|
John Stark in Indian History for Young Folks |
Stark captured by Indians in Indian History for Young Folks |
Stark running the Gauntlet in Stories of Great Americans for Little Americans |
General Stark at the Battle of Bennington in Builders of Our Country: Book II |
George Washington | Leader of the Continental Army of the U.S. during the Revolutionary War, and first President. |
Bold and popular Revolutionary War Hero. Well known for victory at Stony Point. | |
Robert Rogers | Leader of a band of mountain men who did great service for Britain during the French and Indian War. |